Author in training

Menu

Archives

I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little nonchalant about this game. It’s because I don’t have a dog in this fight, and I’m not actively rooting for one of the teams to lose (although, there are a LOT of NFL fans who are doing just that against the Pats).

Let’s start with the fact that my team, the Green Bay Packers, aren’t in the Super Bowl. First off, what a fucking crazy season. I went into the season saying anything less than winning the Super Bowl would be considered a failure. Then, in an unfortunate turn of events, I began praying that my team would even have a winning record for the year. Testing my true team loyalty, I sat in front of the television and rooted for my team despite some appalling games. I prevailed, successfully passing the loyalty test, to be rewarded with a profoundly sensational turnaround by the Packers. We went to the NFC championship game with one of the worst teams we’ve had in recent memory. It speaks to all the reasons why I love my team. Players and coaches remained committed to each other. Players worked hard and showed up. They didn’t turn on some obvious weak links in our secondary and stood by Rodgers when he played some horrendous games (let’s be real, people. He played poorly in some games, but he’s due. We’ve been spoiled for too long.) So, overall, I was pleased we had a winning record and managed to get to the NFC Championship game. I still, weirdly, don’t feel enthused about our season. It was less than ideal.

The second reason I’m a bit nonchalant about this game is that I’m not rooting against anyone. Hatred can be a true motivator.

Take for example when GB played against the Cowboys. Man, I did NOT want to fucking lose to Dallas. If I had to hear one more time about two rookies, how this was going to be a dynasty, about blah blah blah ….

I was gonna kill myself.

So not only did I want my team to win, but I really, really wanted the Cowboys to lose.

Also, on behalf of GB, you’re welcome, America.

Now take the Falcons. While I absolutely wanted my team to get the W in the Championship game, I didn’t hate losing to the Falcons. They are a good organization with good players and good coaches. I’m happy for them.

That goodwill continues to the Super Bowl. I wouldn’t hate it if they won. There are no glaring issues with players, the coach seems fine, and the organization did not take back Michael Vick after his prison term. These things make me happy.

Now, I know this is where I will differ from many, many people out there. I also don’t hate the Patriots. First of all, they aren’t in my division. I fully comprehend why I would hate them if I was a fan of the Dolphins, Jets, or Bills. Second of all, there is no arguing they are going to go down as one of the greatest organizations to ever play the game – from owner, to coach, to QB. They have consistently been an excellent football team.

One thing the Patriots do have going for me is that I really want Brady to stick it to Goodell. I was not a fan of the way deflategate was handled. Shame on the entire NFL for that fiasco.

So, there it is. My team isn’t in it and I don’t particularly hate the teams that are. I’m kind of leaning toward the Pats because I would like to see Brady stick it to Goodell.

**** Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Diego. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at http://www.madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com

**** Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Diego. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at http://www.madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com

Since I’m a Packers fan, let’s do a NFC North Preview. This year, the NFC North pulled the NFC East and the AFC South. Here are their respective standings from 2015.

What does this all mean for the Packers and the NFC North this year? Just looking at the graphics above can make the Packers, Bears, Vikings, and Lions see Super Bowl rings in their future …

Six of the eight teams didn’t even have a winning record!

The NFC East division champ, the Washington Football Team, had 9 wins, but those wins were in a division in which the competition didn’t break 500. That’s not saying a lot about those 9 wins …

As for the Cowboys, 2016 isn’t looking great. Tony Romo went down in the preseason and won’t be expected back until the middle of the schedule or until he meets the requirements for a do not resuscitate order. The Giants have a new coach, so maybe that’s something to look forward to … but getting rid of Tom Coughlin? A wise person once said, when thinking about getting rid of a coach, you always have to ask yourself, who are you going to get that’s better? Apparently, the organization thinks Ben McAdoo is the answer. Hmmm.

Eagles have a new coach in Doug Pederson. He is a disciple of Andy Reid, so maybe it is a return to better times for the Eagles??? According to SB Nation, don’t get your hopes up. They did an article about the poor clock management Mr. Pederson coached during his Kansas City Chiefs playoff game against the Patriots (see link). So maybe not such a good thing?

As for the AFC South, what is there to say? I never watch them, there is no need to watch them, and I don’t care. I mean, really … what’s the incentive? Let’s take a gander at the recent past of the amazing Jacksonville Jaguars.

Seriously, that’s just impressive.

The only thing to be lukewarm to moderately excited about in the AFC South is the Houston Texans. A new quarterback, Lamar Miller from the inept Dolphins (perhaps he will actually get utilized this year), and DeAndre Hopkins round out the inner circle. It must be thrilling to be a Texans fan and realize you are perhaps the only competent team in the AFC South. Well, unless the Colts get their shit together. However, I give zero fucks about investigating why they were so bad last year.

Now, for the real meat and potatoes of this post … the NFC North.

Here is how the NFC North wound up last year.

Chicago Bears:

Oh, the Bears. What to say …

Really, there isn’t much to say. Langford might be the only ray of light (Go Green!). Miller has never really met expectations and Jeffrey isn’t the same threat after Marshall left. After these mediocre facts, I just really want to add this gif …

Detroit Lions:

I feel so bad for the Lions. In a division where Cutler is the best hope for the Bears, and the Vikes just lost Teddy Bridgewater, this year should be easy breezy for the Lions. Yet, the Lions have the worst luck ever. Without Megatron, I just don’t see how they compete. Number 81 drew double and triple coverage — Matt Stafford is in for a lot of unopen receivers in 2016.

I do have to say though, mad props to Stafford who might be the toughest QB in the league. Each year he takes beating after beating and still gets up. He does nothing but impress me in this regard, but only in that regard.

Green Bay Packers:

This is our year. Honestly, if we don’t win the Super Bowl this year it’s a catastrophic failure.

Reasons why:

Strength of schedule

Jordy Nelson’s return

No Megatron

No Teddy Bridgewater

No Beastmode

No nemesis team, i.e., Niners

Jay Cutler

Hopefully a more motivated Eddie Lacy (who should be helped by the presence of Jordy)

Play calling experiment over — McCarthy has taken back the reigns

Jake Schum — okay, this is a weak one, but only because of the individual, not the concept. We needed a better punter, badly.

Here is our depth chart thanks to Ourlads.com:

Our window isn’t closing, but it’s not wide open either. We have so many things going for us this year. This is the year we need to get it done.

So yay! Let’s do it Packers!

Minnesota Vikings:

Poor Vikings. They were the NFC North division champs last year with a bright, shiny 2016 ahead of them. How fast things can change. Teddy Bridgewater dislocated his knee along with an ACL tear in the preseason. That is devastating.

Fortunate for the Vikings (as of Sept 1st), the general manager was quoted as saying this in an NFL.com article:

“The one thing that I will not do, and I promise you this, is put our organization in a situation where it’s going to inhibit us or hurt us going into the future,” Spielman told reporters before the Vikings played the Rams in their preseason finale .

That sounds good, right?

Hmmm. Just wait for it …

Sam Bradford traded from the Eagles!

Here is what the Vikes gave up:

2017 1st round draft

2018 4th round draft pick (could be a 3rd round if win NFC championship or a 2nd round if win the SB)

$7 million

Yeah, you know, just what Spielman said, no impact on the future …

Here is what Bradford brings:

A somewhat shiny QB for the Vikes grand opening of their new stadium

2016: 3, 725 yards, 19 touchdowns, 14 interceptions

2015: Missed two game due to concussion, missed two other games for sprained shoulder

2014 Left ACL reinjury (preseason) – out for season

2013 Left ACL tear (week 7 of season)

2009 A/C joint surgery

Oh, man. Good luck Vikes. I mean, wow. Just … wow …

I hope this blog was informative, maybe got you up to date, or at least got you pumped for the season.

**** Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Diego. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at http://www.madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com

I have not been diligent on my blog posts this year, so when I say that I have been saying this all year, you’ll have to take me at my word.

The Packers offense was in trouble as soon as Jordy Nelson went down.

Commentators and analysts kept singing the praises of Davante Adams. I kept saying, he’s just not that good.

Guess what? He’s not.

People gave him a pass, because he was hurt. Eh, I think that was really shortsighted.

Here’s the problem overall.

Jordy Nelson provides the deep threat. That’s gone. Now that means more attention can be paid on the run game, Cobb, and the third receiver.

The run game, Eddie Lacy in particular, has been miserable. Fantasy players have not only benched him, but flat out dropped him. This makes sense. Eddie is the 33rd running back overall. Russell Wilson (303 yrds) is ahead of him. Other notable players ahead of him in total rushing are:

Deangelo Williams (310 yrds), and he has really only had the opportunity to play before Leveon Bell came back from suspension.

LaGarrette Blount (318 yrds) and he splits carries with Dion Lewis.

Eddie Lacy has a grand total, over 7 games, of 298 yards.

There you go.

As for Randall Cobb, I’m not sure what’s going on there. At first, it was probably his shoulder, but that doesn’t account for the whole story. Statistically, he is not even in the top 40 of wide receivers.

Then that leaves Davante Adams. How can he be so bad that he doesn’t somehow free up James Jones (30th best overall receiver) and Randall Cobb? How is it that Richard Rodgers is so bad that he can’t get open for Aaron Rodgers?

I mean, that’s more telling. You have the greatest quarterback in the game right now, and his guys can’t catch balls or get open? Peyton Manning will go down as the greatest to ever play the game. Tom Brady will be right up there with him. However, out of those two, Aaron Rodgers currently excels at the position skill wise. Throwing ability, accuracy, and scrambling, Aaron outcompetes both Peyton and Brady.

So what does Peyton and Tom Brady have that Aaron Rodgers doesn’t? Receivers. I’m not convinced Gary Kubiak is the best play caller.

How do we fix this? I’m not sure. Perhaps we need to get Mike McCarthy calling plays again. Maybe we need to give Edgar Bennet more responsibility back for the wide receivers and the running backs. He was the wide receiver coach for 4 years and for 6 years he was the running backs coach. This is Alex Van Pelt‘s fist year as the quarterback + wide receiver coach. Prior to that he was the running back coach.

Actually, I think this is the problem.

You have given this guy way too much responsibility and he just can’t handle it. If he was just the running back coach, maybe he did well. However, perhaps wide receivers is not his thing, especially when he is given the responsibility to shape Ty Montgomery and Davante Adams. We need you back Edgar!

We all have to admit, that the offense looks sluggish, even without the added pressure of such a great defense as the Denver Broncos. Our offense needs to get rolling again.

My only other concern was that it didn’t seem to get addressed. Pack, let’s make some adjustments! This very thing, the inability to make adjustments in the Seattle game last year in the NFC Championship game is what cost us. Things were going south and we didn’t seem to take any action.

I also want to comment on something that Vic Ketchman wrote on the Packers page. He wrote “Expressing doubt accomplishes nothing.”

I beg to differ.

Group think occurs when no one speaks up.

Question authority is necessary to make sure that silly mistakes don’t occur due to pride.

I think that in the game of football, when one loss can cost you home field advantage, situations and personnel need to constantly be evaluated. No one is saying that after one loss we need to fire anyone. All I am saying is that as much as we love our Packers, there is definitely something sluggish about the offense. It wasn’t just one game. We can’t hide behind Aaron Rodgers as the greatest quarterback and stick our heads in the sand about the rest of the team. We did that with the defense for too long. We kept telling ourselves it didn’t matter that our defense was terrible, because our offense was so good. However, that mindset did not win us a Super Bowl. A Super Bowl is for sure in our reach. Let’s make sure we get there this year because we strive for excellence, not just our own bravado.

All I can hope was that he meant expressing doubt accomplishes nothing, you have to do something about mistakes and weaknesses.

Side note. I love Eddie Lacy despite his poor performance. No real reason to say this. I just love the guy. Let me just reiterate how much I love this team, in case it seems like I’m being too critical. I love our quarterback. I love the team mentality. We don’t have a bunch of kids without heart, or getting into trouble. We don’t have Greg Hardy types, or Dez Bryant types –always saying something stupid, and we don’t have dumbass owners like Jerry Jones. I also did not mean to name everyone from the Cowboys, but there it is. Our team has class and I appreciate them.

What a performance Green Bay’s defense has put on the last two weeks. It is exactly what Packer’s fans have wanted for years now. Our once shameful defense, our weak link, is now a positive.

In week 5, our defense not only looked good, but was the more dominant of the two sides of play. 4 interceptions, 3 sacks, and a blocked field goal. One of the interceptions was returned for a touchdown.

Think about that. The score was 24-10. How close was that game without that defensive touchdown? Amazing.

Per ESPN, Green Bay has the 10th overall defense this year so far. That’s very, very incredible.

We are now a quarter of the way through the season. So how is the NFC North holding up? Are we meeting expectations? Or are we a disappointment?

Detroit Lions:

Record 0-4

Loss: Chargers, Vikings, Broncos, Seahawks

This is such a hard post to write. The Lions have seemingly fallen back into old habits. They seem to have that cloud back that no matter what they do, they just seem to lose the football game.

I watched the game against the Hawks last night. What really stood out to me was the mentality. Going into the 4th quarter the score was 13 to 7. You would have thought by the way the Lions walked off the field, hung their heads, the score was 56-0. Yet, they were only down by one touchdown. I kept yelling at the screen for them to stay in the game! This is why they play football! You just don’t know what is going to happen!

Needless to say, it did. There was a RW fumble for Lions recovery – although the Lions didn’t capitalize on it, it speaks volumes to how fast a game can change and to not give up. Then late in the fourth quarter, the Lions did what the Lions do best, suddenly start playing football. This seems to be a theme for them. They get down, then have flashes of, maybe not brilliance, but some good football. With 6:23 left to play, Stafford marches the Lions down the field. All the Lions fans want is the ball to be in the hands of their best play makers, namely, Johnson or Tate. They finally do just that! Lions fans rejoice – no stupid decisions! No under thrown passes! Yet … they find a way. Calvin Johnson has the ball punched out at the one yard, maybe half-yard line. Collective, utter, stunned silence from Lions fans around the world. They managed to screw up once again.

The thing is, the Lions have a lot to be proud of. They went into the Seahawks stadium and nearly beat them. They finished the game at 13-10.

Clearly, the Lions need to stop beating themselves. They also need to make their tackles – especially against a mobile quarterback. They had to have known RW would be running all day with ML out. Unacceptable.

Lions, yes, you are 0-4, but your season is not over yet. I really do think, with the right attitude, you guys could do well.

Just don’t give up, like you did in this game. Good teams know you play the whole 60 minutes (cough-cough, GB 2015 NFC Championship game) – you guys need to learn this, and fast.

As for the missed call, here are my thoughts on it. There are tons of times that calls are made no where near the ball, but they still count. Rules are rules. As soon as refs start deciding that they don’t want a whole game decided on a rule, as was the case here, then why even bother having rules? Yes, Seattle was the only one near the ball, it probably would have gone out on its own. However, rules are to be enforced by the refs, not to be turned into judgement calls.

Here’s an example, remember when the Lions coach Jim Swartz in 2012 threw a challenge flag? The rules had just changed – all scoring drives are automatically reviewed. However, the new rule was that you could not throw a challenge flag because of the review. If you did, you got an unsportsmanlike penalty.

Again, that’s a rule. It is enforced. It changed the outcome of the game despite the fact it was a ridiculous addition to the rule. It’s why later, when Mike McCarthy did it, good old boy Jordy Nelson tried to sneakily walk over and pick it up so the Pack wouldn’t get called. You can see Mike and Jordy share a grin – like two school boys trying to get away with something behind their teacher’s back. I can’t remember if we got away with it or not. I just kind of liked Jordy more at that moment.

Anywho, all this, whether articulate or not, is to say whether you believe inthe rule or not (I guess I’m getting at there are some dumb ones), a rule is a rule is a rule.

Chicago Bears:

Why are his lips always puckered?

Record 1-3

Win: Raiders

Loss: Packers, Cardinals, Seahawks

John Fox’s team is exactly where everyone thought they would be. Well, I did think they would be lower in the standings than the Lions, but that’s more of an issue with the Lions and not Chicago.

Jay Cutler has displayed in the first 4 games that he is still Jay Cutler.

Ugh.

Brandon Marshall is gone, doing actually quite well with the Jets. Good for him. On an aside, I loved the article that was out earlier in the week about how he likes to go antique shopping. It couldn’t have been more charming.

However, back to Chicago, so what does losing Brandon to the Jets mean for the Bears? Well, a lot. Especially since Alshon Jeffery has not played since week one due to a hamstring injury. The receiving core is decimated. With Cutler as the quarterback, poor Forte has a huge workload.

The Bears realizing the dire position they are in started a fire sale on September 28th. They traded Jared Allen to the Panthers and Jon Bostick to the Patriots. In return, the Bears got a conditional 6th round and a 6th round draft for the trades.

Now the rumor mill says with Allen gone Willie Young is asking for a trade. Now, it seems like players are just trying to get off of a sinking ship.

The schedule this year does not get any easier, so the Bears might want to just chalk this year up to one large training camp for next year and try and make improvements where they can.

Minnesota Vikings:

Record 2-2

Win: Lions, Chargers

Loss: Niners, Broncos

I have to admit, I don’t know much about this team. I watched one of their games, and for the life of me, I can’t remember which one right now. I think the Niners. Yes, that was the one. I just remember thinking why didn’t they give the ball more to Adrian Peterson. Well, apparently, they have and that has helped. I do remember thinking the Vikes should have played better. I kind of thought the Vikings would be better this year. They have room to improve, and even though they didn’t start out as fast as I thought they would, I still think they are going to be tough to beat down the stretch.

They need to improve though, as it will be hard to keep up with the Pack, considering they are already two games ahead with the next to games at Lambeau.

Speaking of the Pack …

Green Bay Packers:

Record 4-0

Win: Bears, Seahawks, Chiefs, Niners

The Packers could not get off to a better start. Not only are they 4-0, which is always the most important number, but the wins are mentally important.

The Pack has now beat one of their main rivals in regards to Seattle, and even their Achilles heel in the Niners.

Green Bay lost in week one last year to the Hawks, and, more critically, in the NFC Championship game in spectacular fashion. The Pack lost to the Niners on these occasions …

The defense against the Niners looked much improved. Even I, who am completely against Dom Capers, had to give credit where credit is due.

Now, that was against the Niners, and they are bad this year, but … still. The Niners always seem to find a way to exploit our weakness — but not this time. I’ll take the “w” on the defensive side of the ball.

Success has come this quarter of the season despite losing our deep threat in Jordy Nelson. This has caused more short, quick passes. Unfortunately, we have the injury big again this year. Cobb is clearly diminished. It’s not that he’s not doing very good, but you can tell he’s not 100%. The same goes for Eddie Lacy.

Our 3rd receiver was supposed to be Davante Adams, but he has been out with an ankle injury, and let’s be honest, even when he was in the game his performance was lacking.

Now, other teams can focus their coverage on James Jones and Cobbs.

On an aside, thank God for JJ. Remember when he was one of the dropsey twins with Jermichael Finley? Well, perhaps being carted around the league and left for dead caused him to be more focused. He is doing, as Mike McCarthy would say, one heckuva job. Thank you JJ.

What we need is for Cobb to heal up, but I don’t know how anyone can do that while the season is taking place. We also need Ty Montgomery and Richard Rodgers to step up. It’s a lot to ask, but you have the best quarterback in the league — if you are going to be successful with anyone, it’s going to be him.

Ty Montgomery has done very well on returns and RR had a touchdown in the last game. These are promising developments for the rest of the season.

Finally, to recap the first quarter of the season, why not a screenshot of the conference standings thus far …

This year, the NFC North pulled the AFC West and the NFC West as their divisions to rotate through.

Everyone in the NFC North (Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, and Vikings) will play everyone in the NFC West (Arizona, San Francisco, Seattle, and St. Louis).

Let’s preview that in alphabetical order.

Arizona (2014 standing 11-5. 2nd in division. Wild Card #1.):

Arizona had absolutely the worst luck any team had last season. They were primed to go to the Super Bowl in their hometown. That was, until they went through two quarterbacks and wound up on their 3rd string. Yes, they went into the playoffs with their 3rd string.

Jeez.

Bruce Arians won the 2014 Coach of the year award and beyond a shadow of a doubt he deserved it. He received 39.5 votes. The runner up, Bill O’Brien, received 3.

Arians is back, as is his Offensive Coordinator Harold Goodwin. However, the Cards lost their Defensive Coordinator Todd Bowles (Head Coach of the New York Jets, replacing, in turn, Sexy Rexy) and replaced him with James Bettcher.

Rounding out the roster is QB Carson Palmer. Honestly, how is this dude still around? I feel like he retired decades ago. He’s kind of like those television shows that you really thought were cancelled, but ran for a lot longer than anyone ever realized.

According to Jim = 8 seasons

King of the Hill = 13 seasons

Scrubs = 9 seasons

Rules of Engagement = 6 years

How does Carson Palmer stack up?

Drafter in 2003. Yes, 2003. He was drafted first pick overall.

He is indeed the starting quarterback fro the Arizona Cardinals.

There is nothing left to say after that.

I drop the mic.

Depth chart:

To note, the Cards got Mr. Irrelevant this year Gerald Christian. If anyone can make Gerarld the man, it’s Brice Arians.

The only other thing I will say is the the Niners organization is going to have a really, really hard time filling their seats. They are way, way too expensive, 49ers fans are fair-weather, and the stadium will be stifling hot in the first few games. They really blew their was on this one.

Seattle (2014 standings 12-4. 1st in division. First round bye. Home field throughout.):

Seattle is looking to be positioned right at the head of the NFC class again this year. With their players healthy (I don’t even want to TALK about Jordy Nelson) and not much turnover, they will be a force to be reckoned with.

Head coach is still Pete Carroll. I still find him infinitely annoying. I’d take Jim Caldewell’s stoic nature over this Willy Wonka any day.

Darrell Bevel, the offensive coordinator is back, however, the defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn has been replaced by Kris Richard. Richard followed Carroll over from USC and has been the defensive back coach since 2012. Dan Quinn was hired by the Atlanta Falcons to become their head coach, ultimately replacing there Mike Smith. Mike Smith was fired from Atlanta after have two consecutive losing season, 4-12 & 6-10.

As for players, major loses were starting cneter Max Unger and corner back Bryon Maxwell.

Additions were Jimmy Graham, Cary Williams and Will Blackmon.

Roster:

Schedule:

St. Louis (2014 standings 6-10. Last in division.):

Wow. The Rams. What do you say about this team? Each year I think they are going to do better than what they do.

Jeff Fisher is still the head coach and executive vice president. Perhaps the president thing is a problem. He has been with the Rams since 2012, however, he has not had a winning season since 2008.

I’m totally not sure what’s going on here.

Nick Foles is the quarterback. You might remember the trade with the Eagles – Sam Bradford went to the Eagles with his two ACL tears and Nick Foles came to the Rams. It’s still a head-scratcher.

Here is the roster:

The primary running back, as you can see, and we all had to look up is Tre Mason. He was 20th overall with 765 rushing yards last year. His receiving yards was 16 receptions for 148 yards. Hmm.

The primary receiver is, I guess, Kenny Britt. He had 48 receptions last year for a total of 748 yards.

I can’t continue this. The outlook is poor for this Rams team.

St. Louis Rams, despite how bad the Niners will be this year, I still think you will be satisfying the 4th place in the NFC West division.